Wednesday 17 March 2010

Training & Planning

Its now only 10 weeks till we start the MacJOGLE.  Thankfully the improved weather has meant that we can get out and do some training at last.  We have managed to do two 50 milers a week for the past 3 weeks.  Over the next few weeks we will fit in some shorter rides in between.

At the end of April we have planned a “reality check” practise ride across Devon.  We are planning to do the Sustrans Devon Coast to Coast route which runs 100 miles from Ilfracombe to Plymouth.  We will do the 200 miles in 4 days with a rest day in Plymouth in the middle.  This will provide a useful extension of our training regime with the added benefit of checking just what we need to take with us on the MacJOGLE.

Many evenings have been spent planning the details of the route and booking accommodation.  The route is finalised and can be found here.  We have made a few changes from the original proposed route in The Lakes and The Midlands.

We have also booked our transport to John O’Groats.  We have managed to book £39 bargain berths on the London to Inverness Sleeper and “a man with a van” otherwise known as Highland Bicycle Transfers is taking us on to JOG where we will arrive in time for lunch and therefore allow us to get to Thurso on the same day. 

The only slight concern is that “the computer is down” at Scotrail and will not let us book our bikes yet.  Hopefully we can confirm the bike booking but if there is a problem we may have to send our bikes ahead by courier.  Fingers crossed!

Peter